One Day Without Shoes

Today I went one day without shoes! That might not sound that bad for those of you who live in a place that knows that it is spring, but today when I walked to campus it was snowing. Yes I am nuts but I think this blog is even more important than just going barefoot in the cold while wearing my winter jacket. I was sure that I wouldn't be able to do it even before I knew what the weather would be. I thought that was too much of a pansy (thanks Johnny TenEyck) to every walk around all day on the hard gravel. But after a lot of inside barefoot practice and being able to encourage myself to be stronger that I think I am.

It seemed that God wanted to call my bluff today and make it snow just as I walked outside. The ground was wet and rocky but as I walked to campus trying my best not to step on any painful rocks finding that pain was inevitable and that my feet felt numb from the cold. I was able to finally walk in someone else's feet. I had never been able to walk outside from the slight discomfort on my feet. Walking outside on different types of sidewalk, slower than usual because of the lack of soft material under my feet I thought of what it would be like if this was your life everyday. I love shoes and this seems to be a devastating thought, but I never thought I could make one day so I know I can do anything when I believe in God's work in me!

This day led me to think of how privileged I am, and selfish for never thinking of anyone else but myself the majority of my life. I will never take shoes for granted again, or socks for that matter. I've been blessed to live in this country and yes my ancestors suffered oppression but I'm living the life they dreamed of. This being the Why Week it also made me think of how privileged I am to be a Christian in America. If I never wanted to take a risk in my faith I would never have to. This is sad but it's truly the state of most Christians in America. But I don't think that justifies any thing. Why are you a Christian?

Honestly I had to face that question myself two years ago as a scared sophomore who realized she didn't want to be persecuted for her faith. Now I see the same amount of uncertainty in church's around the country. How radical would Christianity be if people were willing to be persecuted. I'm not saying I want us to be persecuted or to even be without shoes, I'm just saying that from my experience that Godly selflessness changes you for the better. It's not that you automatically become a martyr and give away all of your possessions, but that you become even more aware of how you can be a coworker with God. And in the words of MercyMe, you never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for!

So take a step, maybe a barefoot one, to push yourself out of the way. Sure you might want to think you're the most awesome person in the world, but don't see your life as just some insignificant blip that will only last as long as you do, but as a Godly legacy that will last through out generations of believers.

Some BREAD for Thought:

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Romans 8:18
[ Present Suffering and Future Glory ] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 2:2-4 (New International Version, ©2011)

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others